Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CB

Trower conducted a controlled trial of CBT and found sufferers felt less threatened by their hallucinations, reduced positive and negative symptoms and a better quality of life. This clearly shows CBT is an effective therapy.

However, most studies into CBT have been conducted with patients who were being treated at the same time with anti-psychotic medication. Therefore, it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of CBTalone.

1 of 2

Appropriateness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (

CBT has been found not to be suitable for ALL patients, especially those who are thought to be too agitated/paranoid to form trusting relationships with the therapist. Kingdon found psychiatrists regard older patients as being less suitable than younger patients for CBT as older people tend to be more 'set in their ways' (stubborn and pessimistic towards treatment). This points to the idea that this treatment is not appropriate for all.

Furthermore Rathod found that white therapists had less success using CBT with Afro-Carribeans than white patients. This suggest CBT is only appropriate if the degree of empathy and identification is high. (Here would be a great place to bring in the issue of Culture Bias - that CBT is only relevant for certain types (races, ages) of people.